Necessary or Nuisance?
I saw this article and it had me thinking about kitchen gadgets;
https://consumerist.com/2016/06/16/8-gadgets-devoted-solely-to-spreading-butter-on-stuff/ (https://consumerist.com/2016/06/16/8-gadgets-devoted-solely-to-spreading-butter-on-stuff/)
I have a pro ice cream scoop, a special spoon for doling out cookie dough (that doesn't work that great)
(https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/shopping?q=tbn:ANd9GcSzZn9aGIScY1oTETrr6Cf03psSvwXYJMSatf2Hpf4y4KPuJkmq6NnFwc2RMGwzTeu_QDXqnOc&usqp=CAE)
That's all I can think of right now.
What do you have and is it helpful or just more crap cluttering up a drawer?
I have a pretty basic kitchen set-up and am open to suggestions.
Plus I'd like to see more goofy stuff like those butter knives as well.
I'm with Alton Brown - no uni-taskers allowed. Except, I got a Strawberry huller which is a Godsend.
I think it's great to have more than one of items that are used a lot. Why can't one have 3 vegetable peelers? Always one clean. And two sets of measuring cups, and four tongs.
A fancy Thermapen is a must.
It's important to replace the grater every few years, as it gets remarkably dull.
In the bad cooler in the basement, I keep all extra things that would be handy at a picnic - paper plates, cups, knapkins, matches, plastic silverware, the old knife, bottle opener, wine screw, old cutting board, plyers, paper towels, wert wipes, fucked up old spatulas - instead of hunting around, I just throw that in the back of the car and instant outdoor picnic!
I'm feeling better about my impliment collection after reading that.
Fancy Thermapen---check
Multiple tongs, spatulas, wooden spoons and veg peelers---check
Picnic supplies (cutting board, old knives and such) in central container---check
I also save those packages of disposable cutlery that come with a napkin and salt and pepper and keep them in my picnic/camping chest.
Last spring our microwave crapped out so I went to BBB and got a new one for $200
Then I went to a rummage sale last weekend and saw the same one as our old model for $10
Fucking shit!
I hope you used your 20% off coupon.
I keep dropping hints to wifey for a sous vide for my 50th bday in August - which I can use for many Shaft Projects™.
Or a threesome with my hot secretary - which I can use for many Shaft Projects™.
A Birthday Threesome?
Now that's good eatin'!
I have sous vide gear I bought when I refitted my kitchen and still aren't got round to using it. Its a shared house and the first person to move in after I refitted the kitchen commenced breaking everything in there in the first 6 weeks. How the fuck you break an electric kettle I don't know. Oh, I'm tricked the fuck out with Le Creuset pans too, took up dealing them on ebay and kept all the best stuff.
To get Le Crueset pots sparkling white again, I have powdered brewery wash (PBW) that I use in beer making. Stick a tablespoon full over night and it is bright white again in a day.
It's not a harsh chemical like barkeepers friend and works without any scrubbing
im gonna post a pic of the spatula my lovely assistant just picked up as soon as i can get one. its like an old time viking weapon.
My kinda gadgets.
(https://i.imgur.com/P119u1f.jpg)
Nice cast iron collection. Are those muffin pans from back in the day? Me and SparkleMotion went through a phase of electrolytic cast iron restoration and got some nice pieces. Fell in love with a Wagner square skillet that we restored for someone else. Been casually looking for one since.
I try to stay away from gadgets. Like Alton Brown. My brother was a total gadget guy. Cleaning out his house we chucked tons of those things.
About 8 years ago my microwave shit the bed and I decided I could live without. Too much counter space to give up, and they're junk now and don't last anyways. Only miss it to heat up cups of coffee.
Man I wish those were mine. Just a pic I found.
I think I remember you guys doing that.
He was out here I think last year. We spoke on the phone and tried to connect up but it just didn't work out.
Main thing I use the micro for is quick thaw. That's about it.
Not a big gadget guy but a little chopper comes in handy. I gave a mini cuisinart but it blows. Made some salsa in this. Works great.
(https://i.imgur.com/HYiSBwG.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/jALVFp1.jpg)
Quote from: RAGER on February 18, 2021, 04:03:37 PM
Not a big gadget guy but a little chopper comes in handy. I gave a mini cuisinart but it blows. Made some salsa in this. Works great.
(https://i.imgur.com/HYiSBwG.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/jALVFp1.jpg)
Did you also get a sham wow to clean up the mess?
It actually works really well. No mess so far but I've only used it once
Picked this up from an estste sale. $4. Wolfgang puck cafe collection. Its awesome for smash burgers. Pics have the remnants of last nights smashburgs.
On a side note the house this came from was a million dollar lakefront home. The view from the massive living room was so amazing. They had their own boat dock slip.
(https://i.ibb.co/r4rJc2J/20210521-100837.jpg) (https://ibb.co/r4rJc2J)
(https://i.ibb.co/31vmQSh/20210521-100903.jpg) (https://ibb.co/31vmQSh)
Your next door neighbor? I know you and J.P. would go out for a cruise in the Vintage Riva Tritone from time to time.
Fuck i wish. You could give me the house for free and i still couldnt afford to live there due to the taxes.
nice score on that spatula. Looks like it'll hold up.
I need to implement a better image posting dealio
What did you have in mind? I just use Imgur
I'm actually thinking about getting a rice cooker. Anybody else use one? Is it because you aren't successful cooking rice on the stove? I don't have an issue with that but peer pressure is getting to me. I guess they work for sticky rice too which is a bonus. I'm thinking a Zojirushi one of sorts.
Nix the rice cooker. I'm staying old school. But now I'm thinking induction burner. Doing some digging (not research. I hate that word now) to find the right one. Just one burner with lots of settings and reliability. Any opinions?
no but I've been after a high btu single burner, i think gas might do it best? I was prompted by seasoning my steel pans originally, red hot, but that is long past now unless I re-do them but no reason for me to do so. no good for rice but high searing, flash frying, I guess, would be a nifty tool. too bad you tossed the rice cooker, I was going top copy your move. thanks for posting your stuff.
oh ps. black garlic. did our cali chef friend mention this? make it in a rice cooker. that one ingredient alone would make the investment worthwile for me.
If I were to buy a rice cooker it'd probably be a Zojirushi.
Now the wife has me having second thoughts about the induction burner.
We didn't do much for gifts but wifey got me these.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211226/41c525257c2ec7738c322d51282f9d50.jpg)
I like whisks.
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Close to pulling the trigger on one of these. Kezuriki.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220113/4186087cf5260b585bee421a2e723dec.jpg)
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deer antler?
Katsuo bushi block. Dried and smoked skipjack or bonito and the shaving box.
im getting ready to do a spin off on dcs that involves kitchen gadgets.
Mighty interested in what gadgets are used in the DCS set.
I'll wait for the DCS reveal but I used a gadget today that was so perfect for the job that it couldn't have been done better any other way. I was so giddy about it. It'll be obviously common but not 100% in every single kitchen. (ps. it has to do with taking diced tomats down to the desired consistency.)
Jesus. I don't have words.
Heirloom quality!
New appliance day.
Got a new countertop oven/air fryer. Don't know how much I'll use the air fryer but it's there.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20221006/e28415b9e82605d83b1b7439863af120.jpg)
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Rager, I've been looking at that one. My trusty Hamilton Beach toaster oven is starting to run cooler than I set it, i.e. Toast takes longer than it used to.
I had a digitally controlled one years ago and I hated it, knobs are the way to go, for sure.
I'm thinking it'll be an Xmas gift to myself, or I'll ask the lady for it.
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My Kitchenaid fizzled, sparked and sent out a puff of smoke so....
This is the TOA-60. I pored over several models. I wanted a big one cuz I use it as an oven unless I need to do a sheet pan of something. I def didn't want digital cuz circuit boards and heat. I also didn't need a rotisserie. Many of the larger ones have the damn rotisserie too.
Big enough to put a 10" cast iron, small roasting pans and do a 12" pizza. Also I was curious if the air fryer. I've used it a couple times. So far so good.
I think it's safe to call the air fryer function on that one a convection oven. I think you may find good uses for it over time that aren't just futzing around.
Ok fuck it. I'm getting a Zojirushi rice cooker for my birthday.
Yes!!
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20221121/0f7d0af9e2bd19273d97dd9169ef11db.jpg)
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Looks like a Mighty Morphin Power Rice Cooker.
I don't even have kids bug I recognize that as a cartoon reference.
Did sticky rice earlier now I'm doing some jasmine.
I'll delve into more Japanese takigomi gohan stuff soon.
So awesome this thing has a warm/reheat function. It'll keep rice warm for literally days. I made sticky rice yesterday then got up this morning and had some with breakfast right out of the cooker.
The setting goes for 99 hours.
you've been had
Hope not. That thing weren't cheap.
oops, sorry, crossed my wires - it's I that's been had! Was on a goosehunt last night for a rice cooker. /just trying to keep up. If I get into sticky rice I'll have to get a sushi roller
box store has a S. Korean rice cooker for $100. 3.5/5 stars
Made a trip to the warehouse store and chatted with a lady buying oil for her deep fryer. Sold! I went for a 2-pack of the frying oil she uses. Now I need to find a small deep fry to do oysters and tempura. Costco didn't have one. I'd actually like to get a good one, pay for quality and have it long term. not going to fry that often, will temper that in moderation. But theres just some things that need deep instead of the stovetop alternative - give me the the countertop electric purpose built. Lemme know if you see one. So excited to get a first batch in!
So I fry fairly often, and I just use a heavy pot, attach a candy thermometer to the pot, get to the desired temperature and toss your stuff in. Use a spider strainer to fish the golden goodness out. When all done, and the oil is cool I strain through cheesecloth or a fine medhed seive into a one or two large glass mason jars. If you're going to use it in a timely fashion toss it into the fridge, if not put it in the freezer.
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oh, man, thank you so much, James1214! That will now be my modus operandi. Thanks, friend. Will report back.
Is "mezhed drive" meshed filter? I need that and a mezhed drive for my stovetop fry pan, to stop splatter.
Meshed sieve, I think. Like this.
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/611vON6lRyL._SL1500_.jpg)
Also if you're going to re-use oil, chicken oil is good for fish, oysters but the other way around might impart some unwanted flavors into your bird or cheese or veg tempura.
ah! thanks chef. another reason to go small, just a few oysters, prawns, in a small volume oil cooker, so changing oil isn't a prob. hey i might even have 2 jugs, one for this one for that. also, donuts.
I was stoned as fuck and yes "mezhed drive" is a mesh seive. I use the finest one I have.
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looking into kitchen brushes for marinating, basting but probably no pastry work. I could get a paint brush but then there's the silicon marinating brush that looks easier to clean. There's even a bulb container with a built-in silicon brush. Probably have to have a couple kinds on hand. The 39cent paintbrush is so practical but, Any ideas? Also will gift one or two so nice ones would be cool to know about.
I have both. The paintbrush leaves hairs. The silicon one sometimes has the head slip off. I prefer the silicon. No idea on a top of the line model.
I've had this one quite a while
Dexas 8 inch Silicone Basting Brush with Stainless Steel Handle, Red https://a.co/d/1O1tkvQ
And I've been slumming it over here with a wooden handled baster.
Alright I ordered one of each, wooden handle and, stainless. Both silicon brush. One is for gift hopefully the wooden one from Staub if its as good as it looks. The other one from Lodge with a cast iron sauce pan. It's Lodge vs Staub! tbc
Chainmail rag for cast iron pans. Works good. It also is useful in the wood shop for burnishing wood surfaces.
(https://i.imgur.com/0H6pbE2.jpg)
I've mulled over getting one of those many times but I just go for the space pussy's.
oh my
I also use it on casserole dishes and the smoker grate. I find lots of things to do with it.
One time it fell into the disposal. That was interesting.
Quote from: Pissy on August 09, 2023, 06:08:53 AMI also use it on casserole dishes and the smoker grate. I find lots of things to do with it.
One time it fell into the disposal. That was interesting.
first world problems.
Says the guy who complains his woman makes the AC too cold.
I bought 4 salvage Hobart meat slicers to hopefully refurbish and or part out for fun, profit and personal use. Holy shit, those parts are expensive. Even used they're out there. New OEM parts, fugettaboutit.
That's awesome. It'd be neat to have one. Super handy. Tomatoes, onions, taters, meatloaf, sausage, fennel, jicama, sensitive documents
fingertips
Yes those.
I never realized how heavy one of them was. They're 100lbs +. I always thought it'd be awesome to have one too, but am realizing the impracticality given the weight. I mean, where am I going to keep it, given that it isn't easy to pull out of the pantry or even hand truck it through a door? I almost need a remote kitchen/meat locker type space. Perhaps I turn the garage into a processing plant. Hmm.
Oh totally. Industrial. Can say for sure but there's probably weights inside for balance and stability. Cleaning them can be exciting too.
A couple small additions to the arsenal.
Big tweezers for turning delicate things and large herb extraction.
Thought I'd try the silpat thing too.
(https://i.imgur.com/bOScOvx.jpeg)
i need to crank out some tools of the trade episodes.
on DCS
Yeah! I wanna see some mufukkin pepper mills.
I just got sone new scrapers too. I'll post em.
I've tried to source pepper mill hardware that's high quality. Cuz you know woodworking and gifts. But I don't want to make ones that aren't going to be used because they suck.